Embrace Life

PROJECT | Me: The Abridged Version

In one week I'll be back in the classroom - a virtual one, with one of my very favourite teachers! Cathy Zielske will be guiding the course Me: The Abridged Version for Project Life™ for 4-weeks starting on October 9th. With all of the changes in my life since I last tackled this project - and, whoot, finished it! - five YEARS ago, I thought it would be a good idea to sign up and complete this version. Fortunately, having taken plenty of Cathy Zielske guided workshops before, I knew this one would not disappoint!

The only thing I am struggling to decide: digital or paper? I ordered the kit from Studio Calico AND downloaded all of the digital art files at Big Picture Classes. I keep vascilating between the two equally inspiring options. Argh! No matter, one way or the other, the album will be completed - and it'll be awesome!

In the meantime, I'm collecting words that resonate in me. Words that speak to who I am today. I have not referenced my last project as I want to start fresh with this project. I started writing out words, and more words - filling up far more than the two pages originally alloted. I think about words in the car and call to leave a voice mail with more words. Then text words to myself as I'm at the grocery store. I've become obsessed with this project and my need to do it accurately and well.

With so many words collected, I've been moving them into a document to define them by how they speak to me. Each word represents just one very small part of me; all together they will only hint at the whole me, but I'll do my best! Once I have it all written out, I'll decide which words speak loudest and they'll be the ones I choose to include in the finished album.

Between creative writing classes and workshops, blog articles, my "One Little Word" grace making way for another guiding word in 2015, defining my core desired feelings via The Desire Map, you'd think I'd be worded out, but I'm finding it actually is the other way around: I'm more inspired and fired up to write and discover and find inspiration - and maybe provide some too!

ONE little WORD | December Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the 11th installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! This has been a great course and one I've thoroughly enjoyed through the year. All of the participants are so very talented. Each hop, I look forward to see how they approached the monthly assignments.

NOVEMBER 2013 | THROUGH THE LENS AGAIN

This month we re-visit the photo assignment first done last April. It a chance to revisit and see how far we've come with our word.

I enjoy this kind of assignment as it marries photos with words. I was really amazed at the differences found in just a few short months! So much has been packed into this year! 

(Click to enlarge)

I've enjoyed my connection to my word through this year. I've gone from some vague idea of what nourish meant and how it would work in my life. It turns out my focus has gone from me and health issues to so much more. Family and girlfriends, that's where nourish is at for me!

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Thanks so much for being here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the other ladies on the hop - sheduled to go live at 6AM Eastern - have to share:

Next up is: Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com << YOU ARE GOING HERE

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Naomi: www.poeticaperture.com

Mrs. Wookie: http://MrsWookiesWanderings.blogspot.com

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How do you see your word in your life?

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

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2013 One Little Word Hop FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER

ONE little WORD | September Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to another installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! All of the participants are so very talented. I look forward to see how they approached the monthly assignments each hop.

AUGUST 2013 | TAKING YOUR WORD INTO THE WORLD

Our assignment was to play with our word outside.

I failed.

August was very busy and the one opportunity I was outside regularly, I completely forgot to do what I had planned which was to write NOURISH while on the beach.

I settled for the next best thing. Finding my word out in the world around me:

With my Claire leaving for University, our cupboard was cleared out of her favourite teas and packed for her to enjoy while away. I went over to our local grocery store and bought a tin of each variety. I'm enjoying them. Tea is becoming part of my daily ritual for calm. I'm enjoying the process of finding a preferred blend.

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Thanks so much for being here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the other ladies on the hop - sheduled to go live at 6AM Eastern - have to share:

Next up is: Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com << YOU ARE GOING HERE

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Veronica: http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/

Ruth: http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

Mrs. Wookie: http://MrsWookiesWanderings.blogspot.com

Naomi: www.poeticaperture.com

Michelle: http://www.table-for-five.com/

* * * * *

How do you see your word in your life?

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

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2013 One Little Word Hop FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST |

ONE little WORD | August Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the seventh installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! We've gone just beyond the midway point and I'm looking forward to how our our participants approached the assignment this month. These ladies are are all so talented and enthusiastic about their OLW journey. As always, I look forward to their posts!

JULY 2013 | THE STICKY NOTE STRATEGY

There were many options as to how to approach the assignment this month. Summer is a bit chaotic - more than I like - with kids coming and going with no real flow to our days. In short: the only thing my month brought me was inconsistency so I opted for the 7-day plan in order to give the assignment its best chance to be completed!

I took seven sticky notes and wrote the word "NOURISH" on each one. They were then stuck on my fridge - the perfect place for the word nourish, wouldn't you agree? The other option was lining them up along my bookshelf - another appropriate place to find nourishment in my home :)

At the start of each day, for a week, I set an intention in the morning. (A couple of months ago I started a practice to set an intention for my day every morning via Facebook, I simply incorporated that practice to my sticky notes!) At the end of the day, for that same week, I wrote on the sticky note how I connected with my word NOURISH that day.

Here is a summary:

DAY 1 | Intention to NOURISH SILENCE As an introvert, I regularly seek quiet time alone to recharge my batteries. Most people would dread the traffic-filled drive up the 400 to cottage- and camp-country. Not me! This was one of many trips and I enjoyed every minute of it. Silence reigned as I had much to consider and came to a lot of realizations on my way to pick up Chloé from camp.

DAY 2 | Intention to NOURISH CLEAN & ORDER This is directed specifically in my fridge. With so many people coming and going I want enough "fresh" on hand, but end up with the kids and their friends just popping in and then out as quick as they arrive. There has been a sad amount of waste - strawberries and watermelon being the biggest sacrifices. The fridge is now empty of everything but some condiments, champagne and lemons. I feel positively single!

DAY 3 | Intention to NOURISH HEALTHY CHOICES Ah, Monday, the start of a new week. Time to focus my effort (yet again) on walking more, filling the fridge and eating more protein than carbs. And more veg than protein. That empty fridge? Filled with enough to keep ME going for the week.

DAY 4 | Intention to NOURISH SELF-CARE For many years I sacrificed attention to myself in order to pay attention to everyone else around me - often to the detriment of my self-esteem. My friends (and one sister) still chide me over my fear of self-indulgence. The day was spent at the local spa. I'm all poked and plucked.

DAY 5 | Intention to NOURISH PLANS FOR MY FUTURE I have been seeing my Life Coach, Helen, for a few months. I'm sure some sessions have been harder on her than me! It really is time for me to figure out what I'm going to be when I grow up. This has been a powerfully liberating week. The plan? To take the rest of the summer and let it all settle in. I've decided that this is not the time for decisions, this is the time for me to relinquish control and enjoy some quiet introspection and hopeful revelation.

DAY 6 | Intention to NOURISH ENGAGEMENT We, the kids and I, joined our local club on a "trial" basis for the summer. We've gone a few times. Today was decision day - do we join or not? Given that we've enjoyed every experience - we're all new members!

DAY 7 | Intention to NOURISH MY CURIOSITY By reading The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. I've heard so many good things about this book AND it is in one of my many piles. I was a bit nervous with my last foray into books by a Swedish author (the late Steig Larsson) which I did not enjoy, but so far, so good. Still embracing the "read what you want to write" philosophy.

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Thank you so much for being here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the other ladies on the hop - scheduled to go live at 6AM Eastern - have to share:

Next up is: Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com << YOU ARE GOING HERE

Michelle: http://www.table-for-five.com/

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com

Missus Wookie: http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

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SERENDIPITY: A few days after I got this assignment I clicked a link to Hello Beautiful, an online magazine that featured the brilliant Danielle LaPorte on the front cover. I was further intrigued by the article "Is It Noise or Nourishment" so the magazine was quickly downloaded to my iPad. Once reading, I found another fabulous article featuring post it notes! Such good stuff :) Go and download some sticky affirmations!

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How do you see your word in your life?

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

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2013 One Little Word Hop FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY

ONE little WORD | July Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the sixth installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! We've reached the midway point and I'm looking forward to the observations made by all of our participants this month,they are all so talented and enthusiastic about their OLW journey. As always, I wonder how everyone approached their assignment forJune.

JUNE 2013 | MID-YEAR REFLECTIONS

We were asked to participate in a simple one-page sheet of reflections.

IN ONE WORD YOUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR HAS BEEN:

Consistent

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST SO FAR THIS YEAR?

That my word "open" from last year is still hanging on - and it is workng well with "nourish", my word this year.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF RELATED TO YOUR WORD?

I have fully incorporated it into my daily decisions - heart, mind and soul nourishment.

THREE THINGS YOU'VE ENJOYED ABOUT THIS WORD (WHAT'S BEEN GOOD, CHANGES MADE FOR THE BETTER, POSITIVE OBSERVATIONS):

1. It keeps me on a positive trajectory

2. It influences good health and self-care choices

3. It has me consider my life and surroundings in the abstract

THREE CHALLENGES YOU'VE FACED RELATED TO YOUR WORD (WHAT'S BEEN DIFFICULT, WHAT'S BEEN TOUGHER THAN YOU EXPECTED):

1. It is not a dynamic choice which has been an adjustment

2. I have not connected as well as in the past with "focus","do" and "open".

3. Being clear that "nourish" does not mean "nurture"

THREE THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH BY THE END OF THE YEAR:

1. Continue to make nourishment a positive daily habit, with no consciousness of the word

2. Complete my book outline

3. Build a business plan

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO DOCUMENT AT THIS POINT IN TIME?

I'm already thinking ahead for a word to guide me in 2014. Weird. It feels too early, especially since "open" from 2012 hasn't quite left yet! I'm going with it. So far, my next word is evolving, and totally out of my comfort zone - TRUST :) There are a couple of others that are starting to resonate: shift, align, authentic, honour. You can see where I'm going with this!

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Thanks so much for being here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the other ladies on the hop - sheduled to go live at 6AM Eastern - have to share:

Next up is: Michelle: http://www.table-for-five.com/

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Michelle: http://www.table-for-five.com/ << YOU ARE GOING HERE

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Missus Wookie: http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Amy: http://lemonandraspberry.com

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com

Naomi: www.poeticaperture.com

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Veronica: http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/

* * * * *

How do you see your word in your life?

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

* * * * *

2013 One Little Word Hop FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE |

ONE little WORD | June Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the fifth installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! There is a great group of participants this month - I'm so happy for them to share their talent and enthusiasm for our OLW journey. As always, I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone approached their assignment for May.

MAY 2013 | LITTLE (AND BIG) MESSAGES

The idea this month was to listen to the messages that are repeated in our lives and document them. As I am in the waning stages of my divorce and the amping up of my new life, the words I've been hearing are coming through loud and clear. I get messages from my children, my sisters, my friends, my life coach, the magazines I read and the sites I visit - particularly my boards on Pinterest. My word my not be on any of the cards, but within them I am nourishing a new, positive, transformative journey onward.

Thanks so much for being here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the other ladies on the hop - sheduled to go live at 6AM Eastern - have to share:

Next up is: Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Missus Wookie: http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word

Michelle: http://www.table-for-five.com/

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com/

Veronica: http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/

Kelly: http://www.septemberblue.net/

* * * * *

How do you see your word in your life?

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

* * * * *

2013 One Little Word Hop FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY |

ONE little WORD | April Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the third installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! As always, there is a great group of participants this month - I'm so happy for them to share their talent and enthusiasm for our OLW journey. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone approached their assignment for March.

This is a learning process coordinating this blog hop and my apologies for the frustrations of last month. I think - with fingers crossed - that things will be smooth and glitch-free this month! I can promise any frustration will be worth it!

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! After going through the hop, if you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

MARCH 2013 | TAKE ACTION

This month was a bit of a bust for me. Our assignment was "take action" and with my kids only in school 8 days this month, there was plenty of action taken - just not of a me-focused or creative variety! The lack of time combined with a killer cold left me flat.

For what it's worth, I did manage to write up my intention for the assignment:

 

I was just short on the execution of the plans!

My handwriting is atrocious, so here is the translation:

THIS MONTH I:

will focus on ME. It's time to carve out my space in our home to make room for whatever is next. No expectations. Things are so full there is no room for anything else. It's time to make space to foster a positive and creative environment for change.

DOCUMENTING MY EXPERIENCE:

Silly of me to think I'd get much done for me at home this month with us away on a cruise for 10 days! That coupled with my catching the worst cold in recent memory had me glat on my butt for another 7 days and by months end, still not 100%. Onward :)

I did manage a few things: (aka focus on the positive)

1. Trip with the kids - what an adventure!

2. All household file updated

3. Vanity purchaed for bathroom (gave up on Pottery Barn)

4. Lunch with girlfriends - TWICE :)

5. Watched Brené Brown on OWN online: INSPIRED

6. Smoothies & Harley Pasternak's "Reset" embraced

At least I know the 'plan' for next month :) always moving forward.

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Oh yeah, all of the books in the photo? THAT is what happens when you are trapped in bed with kleenex, tea and internet access!

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I am sure better luck was had with the other ladies on the hop! Let's go check them out ...

Next up is Cheri at http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Below is the full list of participants. In case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife << YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/ << YOU ARE GOING HERE

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Kelly: http://www.septemberblue.net/

Veronica: http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com/

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Nikki: http://www.inkyart.com.au

Michelle: www.table-for-five.com

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com/

Ruth: http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/

Kathryn: http://katlodesigns.com

Missus Wookie: http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Jacqueline: http://blog.jacquelinewolven.com

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The hop is scheduled to go "live" at 6AM Eastern!

ONE little WORD | March Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the second installment of the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop! I'm so happy for all of the enthusiasm and the great group of participants this month. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's project.

My apologies for the frustrations of last month. Things were a bit wonky with the links as Blogger has changed it's format and I can no longer provide a simple list of links to participants. Truly frustrating when trying to fun a blog hop for the first time! Let's hope this time through things are smoother for everyone - blogger and reader!

If you like what you see us doing, it's not too late to join in! If, after going through the hop, you are interested, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

I sign up for a ton of classes and the best part is when I'm given an opportunity to do something I've never attempted before. In this case, a vision board. I've seen vision boards and dream boards made all over the place but I've only created one - years ago - digitally using photos found online and put in the spots provided. This was way more challenging.

TOTALLY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE, it was time to get messy and tear apart every magazine I had lying around the house to find what I needed in order to accomplish this task. In the end, I had enough material - photos and words - to create 10 boards!

Sometimes choice, for me, can be paralyzing, so I went through and quickly selected my favourites - and then did it again, and again - and narrowed it all down to what you see on the board:

Click on the image to open in another window. Click again to enlarge enough to see all of the elements.

How does my word "nourish" fit into things? Well, I want to nourish all of the things on my board - from the central quote to all of the elements included.

I do hope something in this project, or how I'm participating in it, has piqued your interest. I'm sure you'll find a lot of great stuff along the hop. Head on over to visit the other participants. A One Little Word journey around the world!

Next up is Cheri at cheriandrews.blogspot.com!

This is the full list of participants, in case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife <<< YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: cheriandrews.blogspot.com <<< YOU ARE GOING HERE (and so on!)

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Michelle: www.table-for-five.com/category/one-little-word/

Julie: www.eggsandherbs.com

Kara: http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com

Karen: http://womenontractors.blogspot.com

Nikki: http://www.inkyart.com.au/ 

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com

Angela: http://angelanoel.com/

Kathryn: http://www.katlodesigns.com/

Jackie: http://blog.jacquelinewolven.com/

Dona: http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/

Paige: www.approachingjoy.com

Ruth: http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

Kathleen: http://jkplusthree.blogspot.com

Missus Wookie: http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Naomi: www.poeticaperture.com

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and, please go visit Kelly at her blog www.septemberblue.net I blew it and completely forgot to add her as a monthly participant! She has a ton of inspiration to offer. Since her blog is last on the list, be sure to spend more time there and poke around a bit :D

and, as it goes it turns out I screwed up TWICE! PLEASE go visit Veronica at her blog www.veronicanorris.typepad.com. As with Kelly, take a look around - great stuff to be found there!

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The hop is scheduled to go "live" at 6AM Eastern. Have fun!

ONE little WORD | February Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the 2013 One Little Word Blog Hop where I am thrilled to be taking the baton from Margie, our fearless leader for the last couple of years. The class has changed up a bit with Ali Edwards offering up new prompts and creative assignments, as a result, I am really happy to have signed up again. It's not too late, if after going through the hop you are interested in joining in the fun, head on over and join the One Little Word journey with us!

I am sharing my results of the classroom assignment for the month.

This was cause for a lot of thought and consideration. My word for 2013 is NOURISH and what exactly did that mean? How do I think or want it to manifest itself in my life from month-to-month through the year? And then there is the creative component. How did I want to express myself in my album this year? Paper and glue? Digital? A hybrid bit of both?

By mid-month I had it figured out and it was determined and happy to carve out some time. This was the result:

Each month I've assigned a focus. In case you can't read it (plus my pen was running out of ink!) they are below:

JANUARY | Body: it's pretty simple EAT WELL & MOVE MORE every day

FEBRUARY | Heart: the walls have been up far too long It's time to relax my guard and allow my heart to open. TRUST YOURSELF :)

MARCH | Wandering: grab the camera, get up and GO. Discover new places and take time to wander and explore.

APRIL | Habits: nothing worth doing is quick or easy. Embrace PATIENCE and follow the plan with conscious effort. Those habits will stick.

MAY | Conversations: don't back away from the hard ones and welcome the fun ones. Stay open and listen more.

JUNE | Dreams: YAY! They're back. What do they say? How do you feel? Record them :)

JULY | Spirit: there is nothing holding you back. Set your spirit free and let it SOAR!

AUGUST | Silence: what do you hear in the quiet/ When the din of life is turned off, what's left? REVEL in the stillness.

SEPTEMBER | Curiosity: showing interest is not rude. Ask & engage. Give in to natural impulses.

OCTOBER | Mind: let's find something to really capture your interest AND imagination.

NOVEMBER | Words: get them out. Use your memories, stories & dreams to create the future you want.

DECEMBER | Relationships: Nuture the good and get rid of the bad. Stay OPEN to new :)

The creative cards started with the One Little Word | 2013 art received in class. I imposed it over the picture I found that, to me, best represents my vision of nourish. That decided on the green and gray pallet which needed a bit of a tweak so I added some pink.

Those cards, up close, look like this:

(The pink with the lemon gives me particular joy as we had Caden convinced that in Cape Cod they grew pink lemons for the lemonade at Captain Frosty's.)

Agreed! And very much the reason I chose NOURISH this year. More to oppose indifference than anything else :)

I do hope something in this project, or how I'm participating in it, has piqued your interest!

Head on over to visit the other participants. A One Little Word journey of the world!

Next up is Cheri at cheriandrews.blogspot.com!

This is the full list of participants, in case you get "lost" you can always come back here and find your way again:

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/ <<< YOU ARE HERE

Cheri: cheriandrews.blogspot.com <<< THIS IS YOUR NEXT VISIT

Lisa: http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/

Lynn: www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com

Nikki: www.inkyart.com.au

Kathryn: www.katlodesigns.com

Missus Wookie: mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Veronica: www.veronicanorris.typepad.com

Eydie: www.whatwecreate.net

Karen: http://womenontractors.blogspot.com

Kelly: http://www.septemberblue.net

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com

Valerie: http://naughtystamper.blogspot.com/

Marya: www.lotustreecrafts.com

Nupur: http://woodpeckertales.com

Angela: angelanoel.com

Janet: http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com

Dona: http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/

Ruth: http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com/

Pam: http://pammiek.blogspot.com/

Kara: http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com

Clare: http://claresthomas.blogspot.co.uk/

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com/

Tricia: http://onecreativemom.wordpress.com/

Jacqueline: http://goodwolve.blogs.com/jacqueline/

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The hop is scheduled to go "live" at 6AM Eastern. Have fun!

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot, a huge THANK YOU to Melanie for creating our fabulous blog hop button! She stepped in at the last minute when I completely forgot to make one :)

Move More, Eat Well: Redux

I have been captivated with Cathy Zielske's journey to health over the last couple of years. She and I share many similar stories and choices and I greatly appreciate having someone relatable and accessible giving me encouragement. I made one less-than-successful attempt at the Move More Eat Less idea early last year, but life got in the way and other priorities took over.

Yes, other priorities. Something more important than health? Yep.

So now that I've got things in hand - if not quite well in hand, they are no longer out of control - it is time to attempt this revamped idea along with Cathy Zielske. Even better? This year, her Move More, Eat Well program is being hosted and available on Big Picture Classes. It starts on January 1st!

I received the pre-class assignments a while back. Then I got stuck, as I often do, on the periferals. In this case, the immense cost of buying the page protectors (not the actual page protectors but the shipping to Canada was insane!). I resisted. Then it got to the point if I didn't order them I knew I'd be sunk before I started. In the end, I realized I sign up for these instructor-lead classes so I don't have to re-think anything. I ordered the page protectors, cringed at the $20+ for shipping, and then did the assignments - on December 27th - just in time! 

For many people this will be an intensely private journey. Not for me. Over the years, I have chosen to live an absurdly open and honest existence. I have no secrets. There is no ammunition given to anyone "out there" that can hurt me. I've faced up to the mistakes of my youth and live, with comfort and resignation, the mistakes made as an adult. I can't imagine anything in this journey that will bring up something I haven't faced before. I plan to share the whole process here on the blog. There are two reasons for that: maybe I can encourage someone else to join in their own journey and, for me, it will keep me accountable.

MOVE MORE EAT WELL: Pre-class Assignment

Page 1

Statement of Intention

 Page 2

Five Things

Along with my own resolve, my kids will, as always, be key to the success of this program. I hope they benefit greatly from not just the consumption of the foods being chosen but be an integral part of the choosing, purchasing and preparing the food that comes into the house. They are, generally, active but I know I can convince a couple to come out walking with me and Cole will be happy to be my "personal trainer" over at the park during the spring and summer months. Who knows? Maybe I can convince one or two to play tennis with me?

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Right now I will be content with baby steps: MOVE MORE and EAT WELL.

What about you?

2011 | Creative DO | 01 album making

[It looks like my Friday DO posts are running a bit long. Like REALLY long! As always, feel free to read through this, my planned album making projects for 2010 - or come on back tomorrow.]

I've been happy with my creative process so far in 2011. Good thing we're only a couple of weeks into things, isn't it? I figure if I celebrate my early success (#reverb10 album DONE; December Daily album DONE), I'll be more likely to continue in effort of further success. Make sense?

I just sat down and put together - what became - a very long list of my album projects, as they are known to me right now, for 2011. I'm sharing them for two reasons: accountability and you know how much I love a list! I have learned that you have to set yourself up for success and in order to do that you must prepare with the end in mind. This is my prep:

MMEL: Move More Eat Less
As often happens, I'm totally inspired by Cathy Zielske. As mentioned in my Personal DO | 01 entry of January 7th, my primary personal focus for 2011 is my weight. Cathy has found a way to combine my hobby with my impending torture and I've started the MMEL project: templates have been purchased AND I've completed my title page AND my first layout, complete with photos and measurements. Scary stuff, but it has to be done!
Album: digital; 8.5" x 11" Orange or Bright Green

Happiness Captured
My weekly photography challenge with Jill Conyers. We are two weeks in and two weeks done! Can you imagine looking back at weeks of things that only bring you happiness? This may turn out to be the real Me: A to Z :)
Album: hybrid; 5x7 red, black or brown; to accomodate vertical photos

Team Up Thursday
My original weekly photography challenge with Shirley LeMay. We are continuing through 2011 and I'm thrilled to be exercising this process.
Album: altered; 4x6; to accomodate vertical and horizontal photos

Yesterday & Today
I am in the remedial program (politely called alumnae, year 2) of this class over at Big Picture Classes. Again lead by the incomparable Ali Edwards. The other day I was on the Log Your Memory site and when we were listing out some of our projects I wrote a simple sentence crushing in its truth: "getting stuck on the yesterday" which may be why it's not getting done. I am an onward person. I recently found a fantastic quote that really resonated with me: "You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." - Johnny Cash I know that is not a philosophy that jives well with the Yesterday & Today project, but that really is my struggle. Don't expect this to be done any time soon while I wrestle with my daemons.
Album: hybrid, no album decided; put all materials in one big box; file all assignments in folder on desktop; print the rest and put in binder to put in box.

One Little Word
Another more "do-able" project over at Big Picture Classes, again lead by Ali Edwards. This is my third year choosing a guiding word. Far more flexible than a list of resolutions which I will fail before I even begin. The beauty of the word idea is that you never fail, you just move on to something that works better within the context of the word. For those of you who don't know, my word this year is DO.
Album: hybrid, 8.5x11, bright green, mixture of page protector sizes. To this I will be adding a "Jill Section" to accomodate all of the photos taken during our One Little Word | Captured challenge of this year.

Picture Winter
Yes, I am a Big Picture Classes JUNKIE! As a follow-up to Tracey Clark's Picture the Holidays, I enrolled in Picture Winter. I rarely, if ever take photos in the winter and this was the perfect way to get in an do just the thing I don't do. I've met some success and more challenges. I really have to start uploading photo on the BPC site!
Album: hybrid, 2-up album, black; alter with wood snowflakes.

12 of 12
I started this project way back in 2008! I've stuck with it every month since and (knock wood) have not yet missed a month. It is such a joy to look back and see how things have changed, and stayed the same. Sometimes I miss the time when the kids were all little, but I am really anxious to see who they become.
Album: hybrid, 8.5x11, black. So happy I've finally settled on the perfect esthetic.

52 Photos
I have decided to forego any P365 attempts this year. I'd rather focus on quality than quantity and actually get the albums DONE. In my effort, I've embraced this project hosted by my friend Monika Wright and her friend Elisabet Ottosson over on Flickr. The photos will do me no good whatsoever kept captive on my blog or in my iPhoto so in an album they'll go.
Album: digital, 8x8, black. I will combine 2 photos per page in an old CM album. Gotta use up the old stuff!

Celebrate Monday
I am practicing my vertical shots and using Celebrate Monday to do it. When Jennifer over at Simple Scrapper started the Celebrate Monday challenge on her blog there were no themes. Since Monday is my most favourite day of the week (how else do you get 52 chances for a fresh start?) I decided to celebrate my everyday Monday experience. I'm going to continue on ignoring the theme :)
Album: hybrid, 4x6, red. I have to find what I want. I think I know, but will only really know when I get to the store. Oh, my kingdom for a Target!

Simple Things
Another photo challenge that needs an album "home" in order to have it housed somewhere off the www and my iPhoto. Rebecca Cooper has the participants choose the simple photo of their week and they're all posted on Sunday. So nice to see how everyone spends their time!
Album: hybrid, 8x8 old Creative Memories album - or maybe another old 12x12 album. We'll have to see. Still thinking about things!

Month In Review
Another Cathy Zielske-inspired project which combines my photos taken during each month with the summary of our month I share here on the blog. Using CZ's gorgeous templates, each month has multiple pages and is a perfect place for those photos that would not normally find a "home" in any other project. I know, is that possible? Yes. It is. :)
Album: digital, 8.5x11, brown. I know, a lot of 8.5x11. LOVING this size for the simple everyday projects. Very versatile especially since I can insert simple page protectors with things from school and other activities.

Upcoming Projects (yes, more!):

EMBRACE IMPERFECTION
An upcoming project - at where else? BPC - lead by the thoughtful and talented Karen Grunberg. As I'm a regular embracer of imperfection, this sounds like it will be a great way to package it all and put it together in an album project.
Album: Unknown. The 1st lesson is February 10th.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE
An upcoming project (I hope). I've completed two versions of this album: October 2008 and April 2010. They have turned out to be the most-read albums in my house. They are in the family room, with a number of other albums, and I often see the kids taking them off the shelf and flip through them, laughing and telling stories to each other. One of the many reasons I admire Ali Edwards so much is that, with her guidance, I created the most valuable albums in our collection. The first two projects were 18-months apart. I like the idea of representing different seasons. Maybe I can create the 2011 version in the summer, maybe sometime in July? Though, I really enjoyed the online community Ali built with the last project, so I may wait and see if another is scheduled for this year.
Album: hybrid, 12x12. Bright Green.

Wow.

Reading through that huge list my plans looks very busy. I think if I put the processes in place it should be manageable. I find that my most effective album making is done in more project format than some never-ending album of ephemera - items, thoughts, ideas and photos. I enjoy making my 12x12 layouts and giving the time and attention to certain events, but it is the everyday stuff that really makes me love the combination of photos + words in simple contained projects.

 

Are you signed up?

I have always been a fan of Big Picture Scrapbooking. Stacy Julian and her team of instructors have made for a wonderful community of learning and fun. In early July, just as I was unplugging, I received a note from a girlfriend asking if I was going to participate and I am!

Are you?

Doesn't it look fantastic?

It starts this Thursday, on August 12th and the more the merrier. I certainly don't want to miss almost 2-weeks worth of almost 40 projects and ideas. It's been my experience that the BPS instructors are wonderful and I know I'll be thrilled with what I learn. And hey, for "admission free" what do we have to lose?

If that's not something you're interested in, you might like this:

over at Elle's Studio. It is also FREE and there are twelve designers on board for this three week course. It runs from August 8th (tomorrow) through the 28th. I'm not familiar with Elle's Studio, but the list of designers is fabulous and a number of women I admire are touting it, so I'll be heading over there to check it out.

Let me know if you join in either event :) See you there!

A "don't miss this" course

There are oodles of scrapbooking and memory keeping and theme courses out there to take. Some are better than others, some are in the don't miss this category.

In September, over at Big Picture Scrapbooking they are offering, again, one of the best courses I ever took:

Cathy Zielske's Me: The Abridged Version

I admit that although I took the course in September 2009, I didn't manage to put it all put together until February of 2010. As far as on-line courses go, that's not too bad. It got done!

Twenty-eight pages of goodness; possibly more than you ever needed or wanted to know about me! I took this as an opportunity to embrace the pure, unvarnished, good and the bad of me and write it down for me, my kids, possibly future generations.

Last year, I had reached my fill of "all about me" pages, courses, ideas. Everyone was teaching them and participating in them. It all became so incredibly self-indulgent. Especially since every single project I do is about me in some way: a reflection of my perspective. I had signed up for the course because Cathy Zielske was teaching it. I was reluctant because of the content. Ugh. More me! Once I decided to dive right in I was thrilled with the results. It, along with my Week in the Life 2008 and 2010 projects, is the most authentic project I've ever completed. Though it took me some time, it was well worth the inner turmoil and conversations to create something of which I am tremendously proud and thankful.

Late last week I was offered an opportunity to do it again and you know, I might. Just not now. I have other stories to tell. But, if you have not yet done this course, taken this journey, do yourself a favour and sign up. So. Worth. It.

My only piece of advice: be you. Embrace the good and bad. Don't feel obligated to share on-line if that will compromise your authenticity. Go for it. What a tremendous exercise. Do it. 100%.

(Okay ... I'm back to unplugging!)

Wellness Wednesday: Done

Can you believe it? I've finally completed my Me: The Abridged Version project!

Why is a completed album a Wellness Wednesday post? Well, it is because we all know how good you can feel to have projects completed, especially a project like this! Not only has it been sitting around for a few months, mocking me every time I entered my studio, but one that has so many different elements, thoughts and photographs to gather together and have all available at one time.

What a tremendous process putting this album together. I percolated a very long time over my words and ideas; paper choices and fonts; representative photographs; for months. The Me: The Abridged Version course was taught by the lovely and engaging Cathy Zielske over at Big Picture Scrapbooking last October. The idea that sparked her first album was Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, which in turn sparked the course. The book is a fantastic concept, very engaging. If you're a wordie, like me; and clearly, like Cathy.

For some reason, I chose to tackle this album project during this albeit short but still crazy-busy and emotionally exhausting month. Sometimes the best time to get things completed is when you're firing on all cylinders. What's that saying? If you need something done, ask a busy mum; well, that was what worked in this case.

Done.

And, lots of lessons learned. I started out strong in October choosing all of my words and developing the corresponding photos. Then life got in my way! The problem I ran into was that by the time I was typing everything out this week, four months later, most of my words had changed. So, I chose a bunch of new images to correspond with my new words and headed back over to get them all developed (no, I never print my album or project photos at home). I also chose to change my font from the original to reflect my two current favourites: Amelie and American Typewriter. I figure this album is to reflect who I am, right now, at this moment. Those small details will provide some insight to some reader of my esthetic tastes long after I'm gone.

I am a big believer that every album you make is a reflection of you. I'm not one of those types who feels some form of drudgery making albums for everyone else because they really are mine: the photos all come from my camera, the stories are all from my perspective. Every album I've ever made had a part of me in it, some more than others. This album is all about me.

I made some changes from the formula because, as much as I love Cathy Zielske (and my friend Lorraine can attest that in the presence of the wonderful CZ I behave in a strangely giddy, she-is-a-rock-star fashion) I don't need her signature Archer type to identify the project as hers, so I made this album a bit more hybrid by adding American Crafts white felt letters.

It is also suggested that we go through this process every couple of years, and if I do manage to do it again, I think every five might work just fine. After all, I'm in my mid-40s, not some young upstart with lots to see, do and explore. No need to take a photo of every costume worn, every mess made or every event attended by my splendid offspring. My album is far more reflective than anything else. Though, I am considering making an album for each of my kids when they hit 15. Maybe a modified version with just one word per letter. We'll see. It really is easier to do for someone else. You know how we always put ourselves on the back burner, right?

I'm going to be using part of this post to fill in the back page blank you'll see in the first image, above. We were asked to hand-write a bit about the process and tuck it in the back of the album. Here it is, let me know if you've done your own Me: The Abridged Version and provide a link in the comments!

 

Whew!

Thanks for looking :)